Semiautomatic electroplating machine



April 27, 1937.

A. H. HANNON SEMIAUTOMATIC ELECTROPLAT ING MACHINE Filed April 11, 19345 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 14! FEB T H 40- A TTORNEYS April 27, 1937. A.H. HANNON SEMIAUTOMATIC ELECTROPLATING MACHINE Filed April 11, 1934 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR flLBfET 1"!- HH/ /VOAK ATTORNEYS April 27,1937.;- A. 'H. HANNON 2,078,381

I I SEMIAUTOMATIC ELECTROPLATING MACHINE Filed April 11, 1954 5Sheets-Sh'et 3 11v VENTOR flL 195/2 7 H. bWIV/VO 1v.

Patented Apr. 27', 1 937 UNITED STATES aoi'assi sEMIAUTIGM TICELECTROPLATING MACHINE Albert i1. li annon, Springfield, OhioApplication April 11, 1934, Serial No. 720,086

1 Claim.

This invention relates to electroplating ma,- chines and, in particular,tov semi-automatic electroplating machines, where the Workbeing platedmoves through the plating tanks and is attached and detached manually.

One object of my invention is to provide a a semi-automaticelectroplating machine having an endless conveyor chain, the drive forwhich is adjustable as a unit to adjust the tension in said chain.

Another object is to provide such a machine in which the work issuspended from carriers attached to the conveyor chain, which carriersmake contact with and receive current from a conductor rail along whichthey slide.

Another object is to provide an electroplating machine having an endlessconveyorchain wherein the motor drive unit is self-contained upon itsown base and is supported upon cross members,

0 the drive unit being adaptable to tanks of different widths, merely bysubstituting cross members of difierent widths for supporting the driveunit.

Another object is to provide an electroplatin tank having anode rods ofadjustable height and adapted to support anodes hung therefrom invarious parts of the solution.

Another object is to provide an electroplating machine wherein the crossbrackets which support the driving unit of the machine are mounted uponwooden members which in turn are supported upon the metal tank and itsside uprights.

Another object is to provide an electroplating machine having a driveunit which is adjustable as a whole upon its own base to take up slackin the conveyor chain, the action of the conveyor chain beingintermittent, so that the conveyor chain will be moving during the timesthe articles being plated are submerged in the tanks, and will be atrest while the articles are being loaded or unloaded.

Another object is to provide an electroplating machine having a singletank wherein the conveyor chain and drive unit are electricallyinterconnected, and wherein the machine is provided with a conductorinsulated therefrom and adapted to support the articles connected to asource of electricity. Longitudinally extending rails '50, provided withguiding grooves 50', are bolted or otherwise secured to the undersurfaces of the transverse bridging members. Within the grooves 50' therollers 39 run freely, and normally out of contact with the side Wallsof the grooves. This relationship between the grooves and rollers isaccurately maintained by the adjustment afforded through the slots 3'!and screw 38. 23y this construction there will be no deflection of thechain to cause the rollers to engage the walls of the. grooves 50,,a',nd a nicely balanced relationship between the parts may be maintained,the result being that the rollers run in the guide grooves withoutfriction, and at the same time are so positioned'that anyabnormaltilting of the hooks will befprevented' through engagement, at'thattime, between the rollers and the walls ofthe grooves 50'. A In thedrawingszv Figure 1 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of theelectroplating machine of my inventicn; 1

Figure-24s a side elevation of the electroplating machine shown inFigure 1;

Figure 3is a vertical section through the drive shaft of the drivenconveyor sprocket, along th line 3'3 o'f-Figure 1; t

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical section along the line 4-4 of Figure 1,showing the details of the conveyor chain and anode and cathodesupports;

' Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connection ofthe anode rods and catho'de' rails;

'Figure 6 is an enlarged top plan view, partly in section, of the motordrive unit of my machine;

Figure 7 is avertical section on the line 11 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical'and mechanicalapparatus for causing the machine to operate intermittently.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 and 2 show theelectroplating machine of my invention. The machine is provided with atank I havinga flanged member 2 around its top edge; and likewise havingflanged uprights 3 on opposite sides thereof, these uprights beinginterconnected by the strain .rods 4. To the flanged member 2 areattached brackets -5 which serve to support conductor rods 6 extendingaround the tank I near the top edge thereof. The conductor rods 6 aregenerally anode rods, and are hereinafter designated as such, althoughitwill be .understood that for electro-cleaning operations, theconductor rods 6 may be given a negative charge instead of the usualpositive a charge common in electroplating practice. Suspended from theanode rod 6 at intervals around the tank are anodes l5 attached theretoby the hook portionsalfi. These anodes l5 may be distributed through thetank in any desired manner and in such number as may be necessary forthe particular conditions under which the machine is being operated.

The tank is additionally provided with a middle anode rod I! which runsalong the mid-portion of the tank (Figure 4) and is suspended above thetank by hangers similar to those previously described, and similarlydesignated. These hangers are likewise secured to the cross members I.

The anode rods 6 are likewise supported by hangers I which are connectedto the insulating member 8 (Figure 3), above which rises the bracketportion 9. The latter is in turn attached to the bracket I9 and thecross member II, it being held thereagainst by means of the nut |2threaded thereon. Each cross member H is supplied at its opposite endswith the brackets I0, these being secured to longitudinal channelmembers l3 resting upon wooden beams l4. The wooden beams l4 rest uponand are supported by the metal flanged members 2 which extend around thetank at its top edge.

' On one. of the cross members (Figures 1 and 2) near one end of themachine is mounted a bracket i3 which supports the vertical shaft 19.Loosely mounted upon the shaft l9, so as to rotate freely thereon, isthe sprocket 20, commonly known as the tail sprocket. This sprocketsupports the conveyor chain 2|, the opposite end of which is supportedby the head sprocket 22 keyed to the vertical shaft 23 and driventhereby.

The mechanism for driving the vertical shaft 23 which actuates the headsrpocket 22 is supported as a unit upon the base 24 (Figures 1, 2 and6). On this base is mounted a motor 25, insulated therefrom by theinsulating layer 26. The motor 25 has a drive shaft 21 which isconnected to the drive shaft 28 of the variable speed unit 29 by theinsulated coupling 30. The variable speed unit 29 does not in itselfconstitute a feature of the present invention, hence is not described indetail. Its speed is governed by the setting of the hand wheel 3|, theturning of which will vary the speed as may be desired. The opposite endof the variable speed unit 29 is provided with a drive shaft 32connected to the drive shaft 33 of the speed reduction unit 34. Thedrive shaft 33 is equipped with a worm 35 which meshes with the wormgear 36. The latter is in turn keyed to the vertical shaft 23, which itdrives at a'greatly reduced speed, compared with the speed of the driveshaft 33 (Figure 1).

The drive motor 25, the variable speed unit 29 and the speed reductionunit 34 are thus mounted as a single piece of mechanism upon the base 24and are adjustable as a whole when the base 24 is moved. To this end thebase 24 is provided with slots 31 (Figure 1), whereby it may be movedlongitudinally by turning the screw 38 mounted in the bracket 39 securedto the middle cross member (Figures 2 and 6). In this manner any slackexisting in the conveyor chain 2| may be immediately taken up and theproper tension thereof obtained.

The conveyor chain 2| is of the roller type. At intervals (Figures 3 and4), the pins 4|) of the rollers 39 are extended downwardly as at 4 I,and to these extensions are attached the hooks 42. The latter arepreferably of brass and serve to support the articles being plated. Thehooks 42 are provided with flattened portions 43 midway between theirconnections 4| and their lower ends. These flattened portions 43 bearagainst the conductor rails 44 and receive current therefrom. Theconductor rails 44 in electroplating practice are generally providedwith current of a negative polarity, hence will be hereinafterdesignated as the cathode rails 44. It will be understood, however, thatin electro-cleaning processes the conductor rails 44 may be given apositive charge of electricity, without exceeding the scope of myinvention. The cathode rails 44 are secured to and supported by brackets45 which in turn are bolted to the cross members H of the machine(Figure 4). It will also be seen that the hooks 42 are of such shapethat their horizontally flattened portions 46 rest upon and slide alongthe upper surface of the cathode rails 44, thus providing additionalsupport for the work articles and improved electrical contact for thetransmission of electricity therebetween. The cathode rails 44 arearranged in an endless form having parallel linear runs with circularends. The circular ends of the cathode rails 44 are additionallysupported by diametral cross brackets 41 (Figure 3) which are attachedto the end cross member The opposite curved end of the cathode rail 44is supported by a similar bracket adjacent to the tail sprocket 2!).Immediately beneath the cross brackets 41, which are held by the bolts48 are mounted the splash guards 49. The latter are attached to themiddle anode rod [1.

The tanks for the solutions which may be used in connection with themachine are made of different substances according to the nature of thesolution being used. The tank I may be of steel for cyanide solutions orfor alkaline solutions in general. Tanks of wood or ofsteel lined withrubber or lead, are used for acid solutions. The machine shown employs asingle tank, hence it is unnecessary to insulate the conveyor chain 2|from the cathode rail 44.

In operation, the machine is set in motion by starting the driving motor25. This motor communicates power to the variable speed unit 29, thespeed thereof being controlled by turning the wheel 3|. The speed of theshaft 32 emerging from the variable speed unit 29 is further reduced bythe speed reduction unit 34 so that the sprocket 22, which it drives,rotates at a comparatively slow speed compared with the motor shaft 21.Any slack existing in the conveyor chain 2| is taken up by adjusting thescrew 38 which moves the motor drive unit base 24 bodily in alongitudinal direction.

As the sprocket 22 rotates, it causes the conveyor chain to travel in anorbital path, carrying with it the hooks 42. The tank is filled with theproper solution up to a suitable level, the work articles loaded on tothe hooks 42, and current supplied to the anode rods 6 and cathode rails44. The work articles thus move through the tank in an orbital pathwhile they are being plated (in the case of electroplating) or cleaned(in the case of electro-cleaning). It will be understood that inelectro-cleaning, the polarity is reversed relative to that existing inelectroplating.

The conveyor chain preferably moves in an intermittent manner accordingto the operation of the apparatus hereinafter described. While the workis being plated, it moves through the solution, but the mechanism stopsand the conveyor chain becomes stationary at intermittent periods whilethe work articles are being loaded and unloaded.

Controlling apparatus for intermittent movement of machine The machinemay be operated continuously if desired, without any specialarrangements. If intermittent motion is to be provided, however, theapparatus and circuit shown in Figure 8, or its equivalent, is employed.

The control circuit for intermittent movement comprises .a solenoidallyoperated switch assembly I49, a mechanically-operated limit switch I94actuated by the motion of the machine through a predetermined distance,a stop switch having contacts I65 and I68, a start switch havingcontacts I58 and I60, and an automatic switch having contacts I64, I69,I10 and I15 interconnected with a hand switch having contacts I62 andI12. (Figure 8). These pieces of apparatus are connected to a timingswitch assembly I99 comprising a timing motor I81, a pair of solenoidsI18 and I19, operating an armature I95 which is linked to a pivotedswitch arm I91, and a cam member drivingly connected to the timing motorI 81 and operating a pawl I96 which determines whether or not the switcharm I91 is operable.

By the use of this apparatus connected in the manner shown in Figure 8,the conveyor chain will alternately come to rest, remain at rest for apredetermined time, start in motion, remain in motion for apredetermined time, and again come to rest. It will be understood,however, that mechanical indexing mechanism could be employed toaccomplish the same result as the electrical apparatus shown.

The operation of the intermittent motion control apparatus is asfollows: the manually operated switches I48 are first closed. Ifcontinuous motion of the machine is desired, this motion is obtained bydepressing the switch marked Hand, which opens its contacts I62 and I12,and through the action of the interconnecting lever also opens thecontacts I10 and I15 of the automatic switch and closes the contacts I64and I69 thereof. The operation just described disconnects the automatictiming mechanism, hereinafter described, from the circuit, and themachine is then free to be started by depressing the start switch I46,thus closing the contacts I58 and I60. The main driving motor thenstarts rotating by receiving current at its terminals I I I, H2 and I [3from the power lines IOI, I02 and I03. This circuit is completed fromthe power line IOI along the wire I54 through the solenoid I53, alongthe wire I51 through the start switch contacts I58 and I60, along thewire I6I, through the hand switch contact I62, and along the wire I59 tothe power line I02. The closing of this circuit energizes the coil ofthe solenoid I53, closing the switches I49 actuated thereby, and thusconnecting the power lines IOI, I02 and I03 with the terminals III, H2and I I3 of the main driving motor 25. The same action also closes theswitch I92 which maintains the energization of the solenoid coil I53when the starting switch I46 is released, the energization thereoftaking place through the circuit comprising the power line IOI, the wireI54, the solenoid coil I53, the wire I93, the switch I92, the wire I66,the stop switch contacts I65 and I68, the wire I1 I, the automaticswitch contacts I69 and I64, the wire I63, the hand switch contact I62and the wire I59 connected to the power line I02.

When it is desired to stop the motor and thus cause the machine to ceaseoperating continuously, the stop switch is depressed, thereby openingits contacts I65 and [68. This tie-energizes the solenoid coil I53 andpermits the spring I50 to open the switches I49 and I92.

When it is desired to cause the machine to operate intermittently byautomatic means, the automatic switch of the switch assembly I41 isdepressed, this switch locking in either position.- The machine is thenstarted by pressing the start switch I46. The main drive motor 25 isthen energized through the circuit comprising the power line IOI, thewire I54, the solenoid. coil I53, the wire I51, the start switchcontacts I58 and I60, the wire I6I, the hand switch contact I62, and thewire I59 to the power line I02. This circuit energizes the solenoid coilI53 and the latter closes the switches I49 and I92 by attracting thesolenoid armature I52 connected therewith. The closing of the switchesI49 and I92 in this manner connects the power lines IOI, I02 and I03 tothe terminals I I I, I I2 and I I3 of the main drive motor 25. Thiscircuit is maintained in energization by the closing of the switch I92through the circuit comprising the power line IOI, the wire I54, thesolenoid coil I53, the wire I93, the switch I92, the wire I66, the stopswitch contacts I65 and I68, the wire I1I, the automatic switch contactsI10 and I15 of the switch assembly I41, the wire I16, the contact I11 ofthe timing switch assembly I99, the contact spring I98 thereof, the

wire I13, the contacts I12 and I62 of the hand switch in the switchassembly I41, and the'wire I59 to the power line I02.

The starting of the main drive motor 25 in this manner causes theconveyor chain 2I to pursue an orbital path until the limit switch I94is mechanically tripped by a projection on the conveyor chain I2I,closing the limit switch contacts I8I and I83. The main drive motor 25is then de-energized through the circuit comprising the power line IOI,the wire I84, thelimit switch contacts I83 and I8I, the wire I82, thearmature coils I19 and I18 of the timing switch assembly I99, the wireI80, the switch contact spring I14, the wire I13, the hand switchcontacts I12 and I62 of the switch assembly I41, and the wire I59 to thepower line I02. The closing of this circuit energizes the armature coilsI18 and I19 .01? the timing switch assembly I99, attracting the armatureI95 and withdrawing the switch arm I98 from the switch contact I11. Theopening of the latter circuit tie-energizes the solenoid coil I53 andallows the spring I50 to withdraw the solenoid plunger I52, therebyopening the solenoidal switches I49 and I92, thus stopping the machine.

The energization of the armature coils I18 and I19 also energizes thetiming switch motor I81, which is shunted around these coils. The timeswitch motor I81 rotates and causes its cam to turn, lifting the pawlI96 after a predetermined time. The lifting of the pawl I96 permits theflexed spring switch arm I91 to engage the switch contact I56. The maindrive motor 25 is then energized by the closing of the circuitcomprising the power line IN, the wire I54, the coil I53, the wire I55,the contact I56, the spring switch arm I 91, the wire I13, the contactsI12 and I62 of the hand switch in the switch assembly I41, and the wireI59 to the power line I02. The continued rotation of the cam operated bythe timing switch motor I81 eventually allows the pawl I96 to springback into its normal position, thus releasing the spring switch arm I91,also operating the spring switch arm I14 and opening its contact withthe switch contact I85. The

latter tie-energizes the timing motor I 81 and stops it.

When the pawl I96 is in its normal position, it prevents the springswitch arm I91 from engaging the switch contact H59, even despite theattracting of the armature I95 to the armature coils I19 and H8 but theenergization of the latter causes the spring switch arm E9! to beflexed. When the pawl I99 is raised through the action of the timingmotor I81 and its cam, this interference ceases, and the spring switcharm !9l' is permitted to engage the switch contact I56. This energizesthe solenoid coil I53 and the latter closes the switches E99 and I92,re-energizing the terminals Mi, H2 and H9 of the main drive motor 25from the power lines IBI, I92 and IE3. The above energization of thesolenoid coil I53 takes place through the circuit comprising the powerline till, the wire I54, the solenoid coil 553, the wire 555, the timingswitch contact I56, the timing switch arm I9'i, the timing switchcontact I'M, the wire N3, the hand switch contacts I12 and M2 of theswitch assembly M3, the wire I59 and the power line I92.

The energization of the main drive motor 25 again starts the machine andthe conveyor chain 2I again starts traveling in its orbital path. As itstarts to move, it mechanically releases the limit switch H94, thusopening the circuit between the contacts 58! and I 83. This de-energizesthe armature coils H9 and I78, releases the armature I95, allows thecontacts I and IT! to become connected to their respective switch arms698 and H45, and disconnects the switch arm 59? from the switch contactE56. The ioregoing cycle of operations is then in a condition to repeatitself intermittently so long as the autornatic switch on the switchassembly Ml is closed.

The spring arms 29'? and I 98 of the timing switch assembly I99 andtheir contacts ill and let are so arranged and adjusted that the contactill is engaged by its spring arm I98 before the spring arm E9? ispermitted to disengage itself from the switch contact I56. The purposeof this arrangement is to prevent the holding circuit through thesolenoid coil I53 from being awash momentarily interrupted and. theswitch I92 allowed to open before the switch contact I'I'I would beengaged by its spring arm I98 and the circuit accordingly closed.

In the circuit shown in Figure 8, the wires I and I9I are shunted aroundthe armature coils I I9 and I78 to connect up a pilot light I89. Theburning of this pilot light I89 indicates when the timing switchassembly I99 is in operation.

it will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my inventionsuch modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditionsand uses.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

In an electroprocessing machine, a tank, a plurality of transversebridging members, a sprocket suspended beneath one of said bridgingmembers, a conveyor chain of the roller type engaging said sprocket, adriving unit support mounted on others of said bridging members, aself-contained, motor-operated driving unit mounted on said support, adriven sprocket engaging said chain suspended from said driving unit inalignment with the first sprocket, and means for bodily moving saiddriving unit and said support relatively to said bridging memberswhereby to adjust said chain at the point of application of powerthereto, horizontally disposed anode and cathode bus bars, a cathoderail having flat top and sides connected to the cathode bus bar andsuspended beneath said bridging members, parallel guiding members havinglongitudinal grooves therein carried by said bridging members, hooksprovided with horizontal and vertical portions for suspension from anengagement with the flat top and sides of the cathode rail, pinsprojecting upwardly from said hooks and axially supporting rollers ofthe conveyor chain, said rollers being located in the grooves of theguiding members and freely movable without normal engagement with thewalls in said grooves, and an anode rail connected to the anode bus bar.

ALBERT H. HAN'NON.

